Holland Block

The Holland block is a flatiron Victorian Italianate masonry building constructed in 1891-92 for James M. Holland, a Vancouver real estate developer.

Until the north side of Water Street was filled in at the turn of the nineteenth century, the Holland block would have faced the waterfront across the street. The wedge-shaped lot allows street-level retail stores access to two street frontages, both Water and Cordova Street.

Ground floor cast iron columns, manufactured by B.C. Ironworks, enabled large storefront windows which maximized merchandising display space and also took advantage of natural light. The repetitive bay windows on the upper floors provided increased light and space. Such windows are evidence of the influence San Francisco architecture had on Vancouver.

Source

Historic Places Canada

More information

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2559